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James I Became English King
James I inherited the throne of England after Elizabeth I's death without issue. Soon after this, however, he began purposely creating extra-parlimentary ways of getting income, particularly through levying 'impositions', so that Parliament would convene rarely, if at all. These early actions taken in James I's leadership revealed the first hints of confliction and tension between Parliament and a powerful monarchy. -
Parliamentary Convention and Dissolving under Charles I
England was in the midst of war with Spain, and Charles I needed revenue. Following in his predecessor's footsteps, he levied taxes to acquire revenue, rather than convening Parliament. When Parliament finally convened in 1628, they agreed to fund only if Charles agreed to the Petition of Right. He did so tentatively, but went back on this, ultimately dissolving Parliament and greatly heightening tensions. -
Short Parliament
In response to the Scottish rebellion, which occurred Charles I had tried to impose the Anglican church upon the them, Parliament had to be reconvened. They refused to fund him unless the king redressed political and religious greviences, however, and he refused, dissolving Parliament again for a short time. Tensions were racheted up, setting the stage for civil war, and demonstrating that monarchy could not go on unlimited. -
Long Parliament
Reconvened in response to English loss in the Bishops' Wars with Scotland, Parliament acted with widespread support against absolutism. Courts enforcing royal policy were abolished, no taxes could be levied without Parliamentary consent, and no more than three years could elapse between Parliamentary meetings. This was all a great statement of a united front against absolute rule. -
Militia Ordinance and Civil War
Charles I invaded Parliament with the intent of arresting opponents, and, when he failed, began buildin an army. The House of Commons then passed the Militia Ordinance allowing Parliament to raise an army, beginning a civil war between Parliament and Charles I, essenially over the amount of power in the monarchy, that would last for four years. -
Oliver Cromwell Begins Rule as Lord Protector
After defeating Charles I in the Civil War, Parliament ruled England as a Puritan Republic sans monarch. It was heavily dominated by one member Oliver Cromwell, who held control over Parliament's standing army. When asked to disband it, he disbanded Parliament instead, becoming military dictator. People deeply resented him for his absolutism, despite the fact that he wasn't technically a monarch, and resolved even more so to broadly limit power of any commandingindividual or group in the future. -
Glorious Revolution
William of Orange's bloodless invasion of England drove out King James II and culminated in the making of a Bill of Rights, finally limiting the powers of the monarchy in a real and concrete way that would last for many decades to come.
